The trending news that former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has been quizzed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N4 billion money laundering and misappropriation has been denied by his media office.
In a statement from Abuja this morning, the Head of the Fayemi Media Office, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh said that although the former governor was at the EFCC office in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, yesterday morning, the allegation of “N4 billion fraud case against Dr. Fayemi” was never raised by the anti-graft agency.
“All he did was respond to a frivolous petition from a faceless group, the so-called Ekiti Patriotic Coalition, which we strongly believed is a front for some anti-Fayemi politicians, who are trying to soil the former governor’s good name and image”, Sajoh said.
He narrated how Fayemi received an invitation from the EFCC in the midst of the change of administration. “A key member of the APC, Dr. Fayemi was already committed to playing important roles at these events and his non-appearance would have impacted them significantly”, the statement read, adding that Fayemi then sought for understanding from the commission to honour the invitation at a latter date, which was accepted.
He said that Fayemi was at the EFCC Ilorin office yesterday and had engaged “in fruitful discussions with the investigators before being allowed to depart after a few hours”.
The full statement, which is titled “Money-laundering petition: Setting the records straight” read:
“We would like to address the concerns surrounding the invitation and subsequent visit of Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the immediate past governor of Ekiti State and former Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), to the Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“Last month, Dr. Fayemi received an invitation from the Ilorin office of the EFCC regarding a money laundering petition against him. It was during the height of the preparations for the change of government, with many activities and programmes lined up as part of the event.
“A key member of the APC, Dr. Fayemi was already committed to playing important roles at these events and his non-appearance would have impacted them significantly.
“Understanding the significance of his commitments at that time, Dr. Fayemi duly notified the EFCC of his willingness to cooperate but requested a more suitable date for his appearance.
“Yesterday morning, accompanied by his counsel, Dr. Fayemi visited the EFCC Ilorin office, engaging in fruitful discussions with the investigators before being allowed to depart after a few hours.
“We firmly believe that Dr. Fayemi’s visit has provided answers to the agency’s inquiries regarding the petition. However, should there be a need for further clarification, Dr. Fayemi stands ready to cooperate fully.
“We wish to note, too, that contrary to the news that made the rounds about a purported N4 billion fraud case against Dr. Fayemi, no such allegation was raised in his conversation with the EFCC. All he did was respond to a frivolous petition from a faceless group, the so-called Ekiti Patriotic Coalition, which we strongly believed is a front for some anti-Fayemi politicians, who are trying to soil the former governor’s good name and image.
“Throughout his tenure, Dr. Fayemi served the people of Ekiti State with utmost dedication and is renowned for his principled leadership.
“As governor, he consistently demonstrated a profound commitment to the welfare of the citizens, driving notable advancements in infrastructure development and attracting valuable investment opportunities to the state.
“We affirm that Dr. Fayemi will continue to uphold the highest standards of integrity that he’s known for, and we trust that the truth will prevail in due course”.
